VIZIO Releases Firmware Update to Add HDR10 to Ultra HD TVs

VIZIO has released a firmware update for its M Series and P Series Ultra HD TVs to add support for the HDR10 High Dynamic Range format. These TVs already supported Dolby Vision HDR technology but lacked support for the (currently) more common HDR10 format that's mandated in the Ultra HD Blu-ray spec. This gives VIZIO UHD TV owners more flexibility to watch content in either format.

From VIZIOVIZIO, Inc. announced a new firmware update (v2.0.13.13) across its VIZIO SmartCast P-Series and M-Series Ultra HD HDR Home Theater Displays that enables support for the HDR10 format specification on HDR Blu-ray players. While both P- and M-Series collections launched with Dolby Vision content support out of the box, the HDR10 update expands compatibility of these displays with HDR discs played on existing UHD Blu-ray players from Samsung (UHD-K8500) and Philips (BDP7501/F7). VIZIO is continuing to work to further expand support for additional players as they become available in the market.

In addition to the new firmware update, VIZIO consumers also have access to even more HDR content in the living room. VIZIO SmartCast P-Series and M-Series users can benefit from the addition of new Dolby Vision HDR titles to the VUDU library. Films like Batman v. Superman, Nice Guys and Keanu will join over 50 Hollywood titles already graded in Dolby Vision and available through VUDU. Dolby Vision content support transforms the entertainment experience with dramatic imaging, incredible brightness, contrast and color that brings content to life.

HDR10 is based on the Rec2020 color space format, but restricted to a P3 color space and a maximum of 1000 Nits in a 10-bit format. Dolby Vision is a theatrical format, featuring the Rec2020 color space but capable of offering up to a 12-bit format. Where the HDR10 standard is limited, Dolby Vision content is mastered in Rec2020 and boasts 4000 Nits with the potential to expand even further for more finely tuned dynamic content.

"When we launched the VIZIO SmartCast P-Series and M-Series Ultra HD HDR display collections, it was always our intent to accommodate the HDR10 standard in addition to our support for Dolby Vision," said Matt McRae, Chief Technology Officer, VIZIO. "While Dolby Vision offers consumers excellent picture quality, it was important to us to give consumers options. VIZIO now offers HDR10 and Dolby Vision compatible displays with some of the best picture quality options available for the home experience."

The VIZIO SmartCast P-Series and M-Series Ultra HD HDR Home Theater Display collections boasts an array of advanced picture quality technologies. Ultra HD resolution offers stunning clarity and detail with 8.3 million pixels in every image, while High Dynamic Range with Dolby Vision content support transforms the entertainment experience with dramatic imaging, incredible brightness and contrast. P-Series displays boast Ultra Color Spectrum, which provides a wider color gamut enabling impeccable accuracy in every hue and tone, allowing more realistic colors than ever before. Both the P-Series and M-Series displays feature powerful Full-Array LED backlighting with up to 128 Active LED Zones and up to 64 Active LED Zones, respectively. Each zone dynamically adjusts to onscreen content for deeper, richer black levels and more accurate contrast1.

VIZIO SmartCast P-Series and M-Series users can enable the HDR10 update by first ensuring the display is connected to the Internet. The display will then automatically search for the new firmware update and download it to the display. Once the display has been updated, to enable HDR playback from your HDR-enabled UHD Blu-ray player, open the VIZIO SmartCast remote control app, tap "Settings" and press "Inputs" then "HDMI Color Subsampling" and then enable subsampling for the HDMI port the HDR-enabled Blu-ray player is connected to.

For more information on VIZIO SmartCast visit VIZIO.com and for questions about the recent HDR10 update, visit support.vizio.com.